Transparency for Shape Outlines in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows

Shape Outlines such as solid colors and gradients have a transparency attribute that lets you reduce the opacity of the outline so that the slide object or background behind shows through. Transparency is calculated in percentages and you can change its value all the way from 0 to 100%. Look at Figure 1 below, and you will see the original outlines (Line shapes) on the left with their semi-transparent (50%) counterparts on the right.

Figure 1: Solid and gradient outlines (lines) with their semi-transparent counterparts

To set a transparency value for your shape outline in PowerPoint 2013, follow these steps:

Select the shape for which you want to change the transparency of the outline, we selected a solid colored Line shape. Right-click the shape to bring up the contextual menu that you can see in Figure 2. Within this menu, choose the Format Shape option.

Figure 2: Format Shape option selected
This brings up the Format Shape Task Pane that you see in Figure 3, options may differ depending upon the original fill of your selected shape, in this instance, we have selected a Solid Line shape. Also notice that, all Fill options are greyed out, and only Line options are accessible. That is because our selected line is an open shape, if you had selected a closed shape like a circle or rectangle, the Fill options would be available. In that case make sure to consider only Line options. Drag the Transparency slider within the Line section, highlighted in red within Figure 3 to change the transparency value.

Figure 3: Set transparency for solid line

Tip: You can even use the Up or Down arrow buttons towards the right (highlighted in blue within Figure 3, above) to increase or decrease the transparency, also you can directly type in the transparency percentage value within the box placed next to Transparency slider.
Gradient Outlines work a little differently as far as transparency is concerned, you need to adjust the transparency value of every single color stop comprised within the gradient fill you choose. To do that, select each stop of your gradient individually, and change its transparency, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 4, below.

Figure 4: Set transparency for gradient stops

Tip: To learn more about gradient stops, explore our Gradient Stops in PowerPoint 2013 tutorial.
Save your presentation often.

Tip: You have learned how to change the transparency of shape outlines. Similarly, you can also change the transparency for shape fills of closed shapes, as explained in our Transparency for Shape Fills in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows tutorial.